Key Moments:
- Over 80% of American sports bettors have expressed beliefs that athletes alter their performance to impact betting outcomes
- YouGov’s brand sentiment index found DraftKings and FanDuel recorded more than 3% annual declines in reputation
- Survey of 19,000 Americans took place in the aftermath of high-profile FBI match-fixing arrests
Survey Reveals Disquiet Among Bettors
A YouGov survey has exposed a significant lack of faith in the integrity of U.S. professional sports, with over 80% of sports bettors reporting a belief that athletes deliberately change how they play in order to sway gambling results. The study’s release comes at a time when the role of sports betting in fair competition has drawn heightened scrutiny and posed challenges to the standing of leading U.S. betting brands.
Context: Match-Fixing Scandal Fuels Suspicion
This examination of public sentiment followed the FBI’s October arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, NBA coach Chauncey Billups, and more than 30 individuals, including alleged New York Mafia members, as part of an investigation into illegal poker activities and match-fixing. These developments stimulated renewed debate regarding how legalized betting might affect trust in sports competitions.
YouGov collected responses from 19,000 Americans during the period right after these arrests. Though skepticism was found throughout the population, sports bettors reported the highest degree of distrust toward athletes’ honesty.
Insights into Public Attitudes
According to the survey data, 65% of U.S. adults believe professional athletes at least sometimes adjust their play for the benefit of gamblers. Only 6% said they did not believe athletes ever change their performance for betting reasons, while 29% remained uncertain.
A further breakdown shows:
| Frequency | General Population |
|---|---|
| Often | 13% |
| Sometimes | 32% |
| Rarely | 19% |
Among those who place bets, doubts ran even stronger. Eighteen percent of bettors indicated they believe athletes often adjust performance, compared to 13% for all respondents. When grouping all indications of suspicion (“often,” “sometimes,” or “rarely”), the figure surpassed 80% among bettors.
YouGov analysts stated there is a “significant perception gap,” identifying sports bettors themselves as the least confident in the fairness of the industry.
Impact on Sportsbook Reputation
Though U.S. sportsbooks largely maintain favorable public images, recent events have led to a decline in brand sentiment. YouGov’s brand sentiment index, which considers how many people would be proud versus embarrassed to work for a company, recorded an average 1.1% year-on-year drop across the top 10 betting brands.
DraftKings and FanDuel experienced the greatest declines, each falling more than 3% and now holding net negative reputations – more respondents reported embarrassment than pride associated with employment at either brand. Betway, by contrast, saw a slight 0.1% rise in its reputation index.
| Brand | Year-on-Year Reputation Change |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | Over -3% |
| FanDuel | Over -3% |
| Betway | +0.1% |
| Top 10 Average | -1.1% |
Perspectives on Legalized Betting’s Impact
The report also asked about the perceived effects of legalized gambling generally. Results show 24% of sports bettors said wagering benefits sports, yet just 9% of all Americans held that view. Meanwhile, 44% of non-bettors believed legal betting is harmful to sports, compared with 31% of bettors who shared the sentiment.
The study emphasizes ongoing challenges for regulators, operators, and sports organizations striving to expand their market presence while preserving consumer confidence. Participation rates in betting remain high, but concerns regarding ethical standards and integrity present a serious, long-term risk to the sector.
Still, YouGov’s analysis pointed to the possibility of reversing reputational declines if major industry players actively champion improved standards of integrity, transparency, and responsible gambling throughout the U.S. sports ecosystem.
- Author
Daniel Williams
